Let the Games and Trash Talk Begin!

Members of the AMBA's Chicago Chapter gather for a celebratory photo after capturing the Chapter of the Year Award. The honor was bestowed at the AMBA's annual conference during its awards banquet at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

Those aren’t my words, but when Francine Petrucci, president of the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) Chicago Chapter said it after her division won Chapter of the Year for the second year in a row, everyone laughed knowing it was said jokingly with the West Michigan Chapter in mind. They are Chicago’s main competition for this honor, and yet it’s a fun competition because we know we’re all in this great industry together.

Through the years, AMBA’s chapters have reached out to one another for input, assistance, camaraderie and more. When we meet at industry events like the AMBA’s annual conference (where the Mold Builder of the Year and Chapter of the Year awards are bestowed, sponsored by Progressive Components) companies network and reach out to one another—even to those considered direct competitors. Why? Many have said it is because it’s a “friendly competition”, and I believe and support that notion. It’s also because we need each other. We need to learn from each other and share new ideas and strategies. These kinds of experiences are what make the AMBA conference and other events (like the US moldmaking industry’s own Amerimold Expo) worthwhile—and inspiring.

But I digress slightly from some great news! This year the Chicago AMBA held its second annual Supplier Night fundraiser for its education committee. It was a resounding success, raising more than $19,000. We welcomed members of the West Michigan AMBA to our event so they could see what the event is all about and ask questions about how to organize a similar event for themselves. Well today I received an announcement that they have set the date for their own Supplier Night. It will be held on Wednesday, June 29, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Celebration Cinemas North in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They are currently looking for sponsors/exhibitors and anyone who is interested should email Cindy Baas at CS Tool Engineering, Inc. or call her at 616-696-0940.

Members of the Chicago Chapter plan to attend West Michigan’s event in support of their quest to further their work on behalf of the mold manufacturing industry, and I hope owners, managers and employees of Michigan shops will make a great showing of support as well. We all benefit when we work together (even if there's a little trash talking involved)!